Ion-Conducting, Supramolecular Crosslinked Elastomer with a Wide Linear Range of Strain Resistances

Abstract

A conductive elastomer is stretchable and can exhibit ionic or electrical conductivity. However, its resistivity increases exponentially when a small number of strain changes are provided owing to irreversible internal deformation. Therefore, securing a wide range of linearity in the resistance-strain relationship is an important topic in the preparation of highly reliable conductive elastomers. Herein, an ionic conductive elastomer is prepared using 2-methoxyethyl acrylate (MA) and a molecular necklace-like polyrotaxane (PRX) cross-linker to impart reversible elastic properties. The MAPRX exhibits a superior stretchability of up to 1420% with a tensile strength of 0.52 MPa. Besides, it shows a wide range of strain-resistance linearities (similar to 1100%) owing to the slidable supramolecular cross-linkers. Its linear sensitivity to the provided strain makes it possible to apply it to facile wearable strain sensors with good reproducibility.